The exiled Princess Shiori must unravel the curse that turned her six brothers into cranes, and she is assisted by her spurned betrothed, a capricious dragon, and a paper bird brought to life by her own magic.

Seattle fifteen-year-old Stevie Calhoun does not realize how bad her life is until her mother leaves and Stevie must move in with annoyingly perfect Aunt Mindy for a summer, filling her days with being tutored and volunteering at a bird rehabilitation center.

Describes many aspects of bird watching from the origin of birds, bird naming, and bird calls to birdfeeders, binoculars, and keeping notes. Identifier include photographs, drawings of nests, maps, and information about migration.

Discusses birds of prey and their endangered status, including the problem of pesticides, the struggle for space and resources, breeding in captivity and reintroduction to the wild, and worldwide recovery efforts.

Describes the cooperative effort by scientists in the Soviet Union and the United States to save the Siberian crane, with the support and aid of conservationists from other nations.